Serbian Orthodox Church

Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
March 15, 2005

TONSURES IN DIOCESE OF TIMOK

On the eve of the feast day of St. Polycarp of Smyrna, in the monastery of the Holy Trinity near Knjazevac, His Grace Bishop Justin of Timok administered vows to seven sisters. In honor of the angelic service they are joining, five the newly tonsured nuns were given the names of the bodiless celestial forces: Michaela, Gabriela, Raphaela, Cherubima and Seraphima, and since monastic life is a form of voluntary martyrdom and imitation of Christ’s truth and justice, two sisters received the names of the holy martyrs Christina and Lidia.

In this little-known holy shrine the first tonsuring took place more than 250 years ago; there are no written records of the others. These were the first nuns tonsured by Bishop Justin, initiating a great restoration of female monasticism in our diocese. Since there were no older nuns in this family, the novices were presented to the Lord by Mother Katharine, the abbess of the monastery of Koncul, who became their spiritual mother. This will strengthen the spiritual ties with the Diocese of Raska and Prizren. In addition to the sisters of the monastery of Koncul, this historic event was also attended by Protosingel Stefan from the monastery of Banjska, and the brethren of the monastery of Bukovo.

Two days later in the monastery of Bukovo near Negotin, three novices were tonsured and received the monastic names Elijah, Enoch and Melhisedek. On Cheesefare Sunday (February 28/13) Bishop Justin elevated Monk Enoch to the office of hierodeacon.

Nun Christina (Stojanovic)
Novice Dragana Paroski

[Serbian Translation Services]